“It looks impressive.” She says softly as Rob inspects the stock in the abandoned subway station. He turns around and asks why she keeps sneaking up on him like that. Particles of dust light up like fireflies in the light of the oil-lamps that line the tracks, but instead of floating, they hang suspended in mid-air.

“I always come unexpected. Why do you think you deserve anything else?” She replies.

Behind her stands a chair, facing to Rob. On it sits a person, hands tied behind their back and a dark hood covering the head.

“Who did you bring?” Rob asks, pointing to the person on the chair.

In response to that, she pulls the hood off and the face of a young woman with disheveled hair appears. She blinks to adjust for the sudden change in lightning and then sees Rob. She tilts her head and her lips make a silent ‘Hi’. Her appearance speaks of confidence, but her eyes betray the uncertainty of an adolescent. Although young, her face shows many small scars.

“I don’t know her.”
“That’s strange coming from someone who claims to care for her. She is the community. She is who you have tried to teach of what you think is right. She is what you hoped to shape.”
“Okay, I understand why she is here. But please don’t kill her like you did my attitude.”
“I won’t, because it is her who employs me. Don’t look so surprised, Rob. I told you before that everyone works for someone.”

“Then why is she here?”
“So you can see her walk away into the future. It’s good for you to realize that she will always walk on. She might take paths you would not pick for her, but she will walk. She was before you and will be once you are not anymore.”

With a smile the community shows her hands from behind her back and she stands up. She blows a kiss towards Rob, turns around and disappears behind the stock of liquor and spirits.

“She was never tied?” Rob asks.
“She will never be. No tyrant can forever keep her down. No friend can forever hold her hand. She always will know both, but never needs either for long. Despite appearances, she will always be free to choose as she pleases.”

Rob stands alone, surrounded by liquor and spirits, the fuel  of his operation.
A breeze blows through the tunnels and triggers the dust particles to continue their playful dance in the underground.